Handy Hints for a Visit From SantaTo help you in making Santa’s visit a most enjoyable event, we offer the following list of suggestions,which have been paraphrased from the book Behind the Red Suit by Timothy Connaghan, RBS.You can see Santa Tim's website at The Kringle Group. Used here with permission.

(These are not 'hard and fast' rules, but rather just some things to keep in mind when planning your Big Visit from Santa!)

1. Have your camera(s) ready. Be sure that the device you plan to use for pictures is fully charges and ready to go. Make sure that the "designated picture takers" knows how to operate all the cameras involved. If still using film and/or tape, be sure to have all the film and videotape needed.

2. Reserve a special parking place for Santa. It should be right where he is visiting. If he parks down the street or around the corner and has to walk all the way to your home, or office, he will be winded and exhausted when he gets there. Remember, he’s a Senior Citizen, wearing a heavy velvet suit that gets very hot. Most Santas budget about five minutes for parking. Any more time than that is part of your allotted time.

3. If the visit is at your home, leave an opening at the end of your driveway. Put a temporary barrier in the space. Have some fun and put a sign out “Reserved For Santa!” Or back one car down the driveway with a space in front. When Santa calls that he is there, who ever greets him outside, can pull the car up in the driveway and Santa can park right behind.

If your event is at a company facility, office building, or hotel, try to make arrangements for Santa to park in a valet or loading area. Again you can mark the area with a fun sign. This makes it easier for him to be fresh and ready to bring joy to your guests.

4. Have a sturdy chair for Santa to sit in. Folding chairs, plastic chairs, and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good. Santa likes a chair that is sturdy and stable. A good straight-back dining chair, with no arms, works well. He should be able to sit comfortably with the chair supporting him plus a child on each knee.

5. Place the chair for Santa to sit in, maybe in front of a decorated wall or festive type of backdrop. Your photos will have more impact. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos.

6. No open flames. Fireplaces do look nice but putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health. Likewise, candles look great as decorations, but remember that Santa is wearing a long coat with draping sleeves.

7. Get everyone together before Santa enters. Timing is everything! Santa’s contracted time begins the minute he arrives. Minutes that are spent getting everyone together are part of your contracted time. If everyone is scattered around the house or office, you lose valuable time. Santa and you can coordinate. He should call you when he is five minutes away from arriving. That’s your cue to have someone go outside to meet Santa, and for you to get everyone together. (Maybe to sing some Christmas carols.) If Santa is to bring in presents, the person meeting him can help him fill his bag.

8. Think about photos with everyone. Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it is too childish, to have a photo with Santa. Don’t worry; Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. What about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and grandma hugging. And, nothing is more fun than having Santa ask Grandpa if he has been a good boy.

If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa’s helper and coordinate the children as they each visit Santa. Sometimes, Santa travels with Mrs. Claus or Elves, who also act as Santas assistants. Make sure ahead of time!

9. If there is a balance or payment due to Santa, place it in a Christmas card or envelope. It never looks appropriate when someone gives cash to Santa. So, as Santa is departing, hand him the envelope and say, “Thank you Santa and here us a Christmas card form all of us.”

Often, if Santa is traveling with Mrs. Claus or an Elf, he will have one of them check with you about payments instead. Again, make sure ahead of time!